Tragedy of five-year-old boy hit by neighbour’s car

Police are still investigating the tragic death of a five-year-old boy who was hit by his neighbour’s car in a communal driveway.

Smiling Riley Ferguson was playing happily with another child just outside his home when the neighbour drove in.

The car collided with the boy causing horrific head injuries, an inquest has confirmed.

The St Bernadette’s Catholic School pupil was rushed to John Radcliffe hospital. He died four days later at a hospice after life support treatment was withdrawn.

This week the tiny cul-de-sac in Woodspring Court, Monkston, was in shock and mourning. “It’s the worst situation imaginable and words cannot describe the sympathy and grief we feel for the Riley’s family,” said one resident.

Fellow pupils at St Bernadette’s are also in shock and being comforted by teachers.

Riley has been described as “a little boy full of brightness” by his headteacher Maxine Clew, whose pupils had spent days praying that he would survive.

Last Friday’s inquest described how the youngster had been playing early on Sunday afternoon in the driveway shared by three terraced houses.